flammable furniture

You probably know that dried-out Christmas trees pose a fire hazard. But how about new furniture? Or even your newly built home?

Rossen Reports conducted an experiment at Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in Chicago, Illinois, where they compared the burn time of two rooms: a modern-day setup and another from the 1970 and 1980s. UL found that an increased use of synthetic materials in newer furniture—and even in building materials—greatly increased their flammability. This spells bad news if you’re trying to escape a fire: While you had about 17 minutes to escape a burning home 40 years ago, today you have only three or four.

Learn more about the experiment by reading the source article at TODAY. You can help protect yourself and your home by knowing how to prevent fires and having the right homeowners insurance. (An Erie Insurance Agent can help you find the right coverage at the right price.)